Torch and torch-can.



a ,0 IV I. i

a @2 fl 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Patented Ja11.27, 1914,

W. H. MGNUTT.

TORCH AND TORCH CAN.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. a, 1913 Wvlmwoao I .37

W. H. McNUTT.

- TORCH AND TOROHCAN.

7 APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 6, 1913. 1,0 5,453, Patented Jan. 27, 19m

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. MQNUT'I', OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T CARRIE EMMA OWEN, OF S FRANKLIN, NEW YORK.

TORCH AND TOBCH -CAN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 27, 1914.

To all whom it may concer'h Be it known that I, WVILLIAM H. McNU'rr, a citizen of the United States, and resident of New York city. in -the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements; in Torches and Torch-Cans, of which the fol lowing is a specification.

This invention has for its object to provide a form of torch, or combined burner and reservoir, especially adapted for highlyvolatile burning fluids such as gasolene and alcohol, in which the vapors will be evolved from a continuous annular or cylindrical outer face of the torch, from a reservoir or storage portion located at the interior, and centrally or axially positioned relative to the said external surface; whereby the storage compartment will be substantially enveloped orsurrounded by the flame of the ignited vapor, that will act as a kind of heater to facilitate the vaporizing of the stored liquid, and willinsure the proper and complete combustion of the burning vapor, so that all of the possible heat units of the fuel are utilized. Y

A further object of the invention is to rovide with such an arrangement, an adustable member that will serve to cover portions of the annular vapor-evolving surface andthereby vary the amount of such surface that can be ignited and produce the desired: flame. v

A further object of the invention is to provide a structure of the character set forth above in which an outer member of metal having flame-proof openings is provided with an inner structure of non-inflammable and porous material that will readily absorb a considerable quantity of the burning fluid, and which said material that lines the metal cover, .is provided with a central or axial chamber, that upon access to the burning fluid, as by immersion therein, will become more or less filled with such fluid.

A further object of this invention is to provide, in combination with a torch of the character above set forth, a can or receptacle for containing a quantity of the burn ing fluid, adapted to have the torch inserted therein to become saturated with the fluid; and which can will be practically non-explosive so that any vapor therein cannot become ignited or caused to explode; and' which furthermore will prevent any escape ing one embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is a vertical axial section through the torch. Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical axial section through the torch can, with a torch as shown in Fig. 1 inserted therein. Fig. 4 shows the torch in use, as ignited with the flame acting upon a pipe joint that is frozen; and Fig. 5 shows the torch inuse for heating a chafing dish. 7

he torch is shown as formed of a tube 7, that may be of sheet metal having throughout its surface minute flame-proof perforations, and the ends of the tube are shown as closed by metal caps 8 and 9, that are not perforated but are each provided with a central opening, through which passes a rod 10, threaded to receive nuts 11 and: 12, that serve to lock the caps on the tube; and which rod had an extension at 13that is looped at 141 to form a convenient handle for the torch.

The closed tube 7 contains a filling of suitable non-inflammable andporous material, such asv asbestos or mineral wool, which will readily absorb a burning fluid when applied to the tube 7 or the latter is immersed therein. This lining material is preferably provided with a central chamber that is surrounded on all sides by this porous material; such chamber receiving itssupply slowly by the fluid passing through the wall of porous material, and hence the burning fluid can only escape slowly by its passage outward through the wall of porous material. This central chamber of the torch I preferably form with a metallic lining on all sides to prevent displacement of the asbestos or other material; and as shown I arrange a metal tube 15 considerably smaller than the outer tube 7, and having its ends closed by caps 16 and 17 that have central openings through which passes the said handle rod 10. In the construction of such a device, the inner tube 15, formed of finely perforated sheet metal preferably similar to the outer tube, with its end caps is first placed on the rod 10, then the outertube 7 is placed around the inn-ertube, and the asbestos lining 18 is packed between the two concentric tubes 7 and 15, and the asbestos is also placed around the rod 10 at the end portions of the outer tube to inclose both ends of the inner tube;.

such position without the necesslty of securing the end caps 16 and 17 tothe rod 10. Another tube is provided that is arranged to telescope the outer tube 7 so as to expose more or less of its surface to ignition, and this tube is preferably guided by the handle portion 13 of the rod. A metal tube 20 is shown of a size to slide over the outer tube 7 in close proximity thereto, and has at. one end a closure in the form of a cap 21, provided with a central opening through which passes the rod 13. The tube 20 is formed of about the same length as the outer tube 7 of the torch, and the handle portion 13 is of suflicient length (see Fig.3) to permitthe tube 20 to be withdrawn so that practically all of the tube 7 is exposed for ignition; while the tube 20 can be shifted to expose any desired portion, whereby just the amount of flame required, according to the needs, or according to the rapidity of vaporization of the fluid stored up in the torch, will be produced. It will be observed that the cap 21 has its outer edge portion 22 offset from the tube 20 forming an annular channel therebetween, for a purpose. hereinafter set forth. This cap member together with the more or less projecting portion 13 of the rod, and the adjacent portion of the cover tube 20, form a convenient means for grasping the torch in the hand, and this portion of the torch being comparatively remote from the ortion subjected to the flame, will not parta e of its heat, and can be safely handled by the operator.

In the use of the device, the cover tube 20 is withdrawn to ex ose the outer tube 7, and then the burning uid or fuel is applied to the'tube 7, either by pouring it thereon, or preferably by the immersion of the tube 7, in an uprlght position in a vessel or can containing such fluid, that will result in the fluid being readily absorbed by the packing 18 between the concentric tubes of the torch, and in its passing into the central chamber 6 inside of the inner tube 15, that will become substantiall filled with the fuel. The torch is best le t in the can and closing means provided so that there will be no evaporation until the torch is to be used. Therefore, when the torch is to be put into use, it is simply withdrawn from the can, or from any closed receptacle in which it may be stored to prevent evaporation; and the cover tube 20 is slid onto the outer tube 7 until only the desired portion is exposed, and

the latter is then ignited by-a match 01' other flame applied to its outer surface. The small openings in the tube 7 will prevent flame penetrating the tube, and the vapor will burn all around the outer exposed portion of the tube 7, not inclosed by the cover tube 20;"and this vapor, since it surrounds the tube will serve to effectually appl heat to the portion of thetube surrounde that will result in the rapid evolution of vapor,

that by its inherent expansion must pass outward through the tube 7. But it will be understood that it is utterly impossible for the flame to pass through the packing 18 between the outer and inner tubes and reach the inner chamber 6 containing some of the fuel. Should the vapor be evolved too rapidly, the cover tube 20 is advanced to re duce the amount of the tube 7 exposed to flame; while as the fuel becomes consumed and the supply diminishes, the cover tube 20 is withdrawn, and a greater evolution of vapor will result, until the fuel contained in the inner chamber, and that absorbed by the packing 18 becomes completely vaporized and consumed.

In Fig. 3 is set forth a form of can or re ceptacle especially adapted for use with the torch as described, being provided with a well adapted to have the torch inserted therein from time to time as the torch becomes exhausted, whereby the torch is quickly replenished upon remaining a short time in the can. And the can is adapted to contain a quantity of the fuel so that the torch may be re eatedly charged with the fuel from one filling of the can.

As shown in Fig. 3 I provide a can of a cylindrical form, composed of a cylindrical side 30 having a closed bottom member 31, and a top or cover 32 permanently secured to the side 30 and provided with a central opening 33. A metal tube 34, of a size sufficient to receive the cover tube 20 of the torch, is secured at, and projects down through the opening 33 in the top 32 with its lower end at about the central portion of the can; and this tube 34 preferably projects a short distance above the cover 32 as shown, for the purpose of having its upper end portion enters the annular channel 23, between the cap 22 and the cover tube 20, when the torch is inserted in the tube 34' as shown in Fig. 3. This is for the purpose of forming a comparatively tight closure for the can when the torch has been inserted in the can, as shown in this view. -At the lower end of the tube 34 in the central portion of the can is secured a tube 35, that is shown as surrounding the lower end of the tube 34, and which extends down to the bottom 31 of the can, and is preferably secured at a depressed portion 37 of the bottom 31; and this tube is shown as: formed of thin sheet metal provided throughout its length with minute flame proof perforations. Since the top 32 of the can is entirely closed by being soldered or having a fluid-tight connection with the tube 34, and since the perforated tube 35 extends from the tube 34 down to the bot-tom of the can, the only access to the interior of the can is through the minute openings in the tube 35 from the central 'portion to the bottom oi the can. As the burning fluid is poured into the can through the tube. 34, it will penetrate the openings and fill the can only about half full up to the line 36, and thereupon the liquid would rise in the tube 34, but cannot rise above the line 36 in the can, as there can be no displacement of the air in thisclosed upper portion-of the' can. By this construction a kind of well is formed by these tubes 34 and 35 in the can, whose 'depthfrom the upper portion of the 'tube 34 extending above the lid 32 is so arranged, that, upon withdrawal of t e cover tube 20 to expose practically all of theinner tube 7, bringing the torch cover 21 to the loop 14, and insertion of the torch in the well, the upper end of the tube 34 will enter the channel 23 in the cover 21 to efiectually close the .well and prevent evaporation, while the lower end of the torch will be at the defi t-i pressed portion 37 of the bottom of the can.

In this position the torchwill be practically immersedfor the length of the outer tube 7, in the fluid in the can, and such fluid will pass through the openings in the tube 7 to be absorbed by the packing 18, and penetrating. the same will enter and to a more or less extent fill the inner chamber 6 of-the torch. The torch can remain in the can for any desired length of time until it is needed, as the cover 21 serves to close the can and prevent evaporation, both of the fluid in the can, and that with which the torch is nowcharged. When the torch is needed for use, it is simply withdrawn, the cover tube advanced the desired distance, and the exposed portion of the tube is ignitedby a suitable flame. After use, whether the torch has been exhausted, or not, it is returned to the can, and will bereplenished in a short time for future use.

In Fig. 4 the torch is shown with a portion of the outer tube exposed by the cover tube, with the comparatively large amount of flame caused by the burning-vapor, enveloping a pipe joint that may be frozen; and which shows the large portion of the torch at the cover end not affected by the burning flame, and which may be held in the hand of the user.

In Fig. the torch is shown used for the purpose of furnishing the required heat for 1 chafing dish, being supported in a horiaontal position with the exposed portion beaeath the center at the bot-tom of the vessel by suitable brackets, in place of the usual alcohol or vapor lamp employed for this-purpose. With such use, the amount of flame can be very easily regulated by merel shifting the cover tube on the outer tube 7 of the torch.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A torch comprising a metal tube provided with flame-proof apertures throughout its cylindrical portion and having closed ends, a packing of non-inflammable porous material lining the tube and provided with a central chamber, a rod projecting from one end of the tube to constitute a handle, and a metal tube having one end closed and being slidable on the rod and said tube to have its other end portion slide over and inclose said tube to vary the amount of exposure of the perforated portion.

2. A torch comprising a metal tube having flame-proof apertures and closed ends, a packing of non-inflammable porous material lining the tube and having a central chamber, said end members of the tube havin a central hole, a rod passing through said ho es and secured therein and projecting beyond one end to form a-handle for the torch, and a metal tube having an end closure slidable on the rod to have the other open portion of such tube slide over and inclose said tube to vary its exposed portion.

3. A torch comprising a metal tube having flame-proof apertures and closed ends, a metal tube having flame-proof apertures and closed ends that is considerablysmaller than said tube, the smaller tube being located inside of the larger tube, a acking of noninflammable porous material separating said tubes, a rod projecting from one end of the outer tube, and a sheet metal tube having an end closure slidable on the rod to have the other open end portion of such tube slide over and inclose the said outer tube to vary the exposed portion of the outer tube.

4. A torch comprising a metal tube having flame-proof apertures and closed ends, a metal tube having flame-proof apertures and closed ends that is considerably'smaller than said tube, the smaller tube being located in-' side of the other tube, a packlng of noninflammable porous material separating said tubes, said end members of the tubes having a central hole, a rod passing through said holes and through the tubes and secured to the ends of the outer tube and projecting beyond one end thereof to form a handle for the torch, and a sheet metal tube having an end'closure slidable on the rod to have the other open end portion of such tube slide over and inclose said outer tube to vary the exposed portion of the outer tube.

' 5. A torch can comprising a vessel having a closed top with acentral opening, a tube of metal secured to the top at the hole margins and projecting down to the central part of the can, and a tube of sheet metal having flame-proof apertures and secured 'to the lower end of said tube and extending down and secured to the bottom of the can to form a well for the torch that is closed at the upper portion and foraminous at the lower portion, the can being entirely closed beyond said tube apertures whereby to confine the vapor in the can and to prevent outflow of the can contents except through said tube.

6. A torch can comprising a vessel having a closed top with a central opening, a tube of sheet metal secured to the top at the hole margins and projecting down to the central part of the vessel, the tube projecting a short distance above the top of the vessel, and a tube of sheet metal having flame-proof apertures and secured to the lower end of said tube and extending down and secured to the bottom of the vessel to form a well forthe torch closed at the upper portion and foram inous at the lower portion.

7. A torch can comprising a vessel having a closed top with 'a central opening, a tube of sheet metal secured to the top at the hole margins and projecting down to the central part of the vessel, a tube of sheet metal having flame-proof apertures and secured to the lower end of said tube and extending down and secured to the bottom of the-vessel to form a well for the torch closed at the upper portion and foraminous at the'lower portion, acylindrical torch adapted for insertion in the said well to reach down to the botton1 thereof, and provided with a cap arranged to close the top of the well.

8. A torchcan comprising a vessel having a closed top with a central opening, a tube of sheet metal secured to the top at the hole margins and projectingdown to the central part of the vessel, the tube projecting a short distance above the top of the vessel, and a tube of sheet metal. having flame-proof apertures and secured to the lower end of said tubeand extending down and secured to the bottom of the vessel to form a well for the torch thatis closed at the upper portion and foraininous at the lower portion, a cylindrical torch adapted for insertion in the said well to reach down to the bottom thereof, and provided with a cap arranged to engage the said upper extension of the tube to close the well.

WILLIAM H. MCNUTT. Witnesses:

CHAS. E. Jones, AGNES OLSEN. 

